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6 Herbs for Vibrant Winter Health
Boost your immune system with the help of nature
Maladies surround us in the winter. We are forever attempting to fend them off. Colds, the flu, and worse, it can feel like an uphill battle to stay healthy.
Herbs are abundant in the summer. Fortunately for us we can piggyback on the experience of individuals from the past, and modern research, to reap the health benefits of these wonderful herbal remedies all year long.
Found at local health food stores, herbal remedies come in tinctures, tablets, and dried herbs in bulk.
ENERGY: Asian Ginseng
Ginseng is great for calming the mind, quieting the spirit, brightening the eyes, expanding wisdom, and contributing to a long life. Individuals who take ginseng can experience reduced anxiety, less fatigue, and improved concentration compared to the individuals taking a placebo. Avoid ginseng if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant.
COLDS: Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the most popular cold remedies on the market. Popular with North Americans on the prairie, this herb was used to treat ailments from cancer to colds. Antibiotics replaced its popularity in the 1920’s, but it is still widely used in Europe. It is said that in 1993 German physicians prescribed Echinacea more that 2.5 million times.
FLU: Elderberry
Elderberry extract can help to reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms. It has been said that the compounds in the extract block the ability of the flu virus to enter cells, thus removing the virus’s ability to infect.
DEPRESSION: St-John’s-Wort
St.-John’s-Wort grows like a weed. It can act like a prescription anti-depressant without the side effects.
In 1997, St.-John’s-Wort was the focus of national attention after ABC’s news program 20/20 reported on the herb’s ability to quell depression. www.motherearthliving.com
Like anti-depressants, St-John’s-Wort can take six to eight weeks to start reducing…
